the water began to pour in from this direction when sandy struck. the water moved in this direction here. you see what was left, what was a home. a pile of debris, completely destroyed. there are still thousands and thousands in this area, living under very dire conditions. that is why they have set up this tent city here in the area. warming centers are in the city of new york set up. they only operate during the daytime hours. after 4:00 people have to fend for themselves. this center here, is operated 24 hours a day. staffed entirely by volunteers. let me just show you very quickly. we'll go inside. i would like you to meet the woman who has made all of this possible. donna, you have for 80 days now, volunteered, spent every day making this tent city possible. what would happen if it wasn't here? >> these people would have in way of eating. they would freeze. they have no, they actually call this their comfort zone, kind of a place to get away from every day of seeing no walls and dealing with the mold and the cold. >> reporter: you provide heat.